NationStates Jolt Archive


The Official Civilization Discussion Thread

Naliitr
28-05-2006, 17:37
A thread to discuss tactics, experiences, and to rant about the Civilization games.

My experience: Don't cha love the times when you are on an archipeligo map and you have ocean surrounding you on all sides, and you don't feel like sailing out to find new worlds, and you're the only person on the island? One time, I had gotten to the modern age. Someone on the main island had just discovered navigation at the time I firstly had gotten ICBMs. They came to my island, while still in the middle ages. I asked for world maps in exchange for all my nifty technology. I know see the entirety of the world. The Romans didn't like me very much. They threatend war on me if I didn't give them technology to get into the industrial age. I said "Fuck you Rome". They declared war on me. I launched one of my ICBMs towards their capital. They immediatly surrendered. Now then, apparently no one liked my use of nukes, said it was bad, and all other 13 AI declared war on me. I couldn't understand why they didn't like my use of nukes. So I set up a little demonstration for them. At each of their capitals. Just a common ol' ICBM blast in each capital. They then saw the light and realized that nukes are such a great thing.
Tomzilla
28-05-2006, 17:50
I just LOVE blitzing the Soviets as the Germans back in the WWII scenario from Civilization II. I keep losing North Africa, but Europe is mine! :P
The Taker
28-05-2006, 17:52
Are these games what they are cracked up to be?

I am looking for some new games to try and these pop up once in a while.
Sonaj
28-05-2006, 17:56
I played civ IV with a friend at his house... After my first tank was destroyed by a spearman, I swore I would never buy it. Sure, I had killed loads of 'em, but it just aint right!

I could have been dreaming it though.
Swilatia
28-05-2006, 18:01
I tried to make a nationstates Civ4 mod. It did not go well.
Vetalia
28-05-2006, 18:02
I just LOVE blitzing the Soviets as the Germans back in the WWII scenario from Civilization II. I keep losing North Africa, but Europe is mine! :P

I always play as the Soviets...nothing better than slamming the Germans from the east while the Allies and France hold off on the West. There's nothing better than attacking Kiel in 1943 with 12 bombers, 20 tanks and 33 riflemen...

Not only that, but my engineers laid about 3,000 miles of railroad tracks during the period; the Soviet infrastructure in 1947 was equal to that of the Allies. I wanted to play out the Cold War on that map, but I realized it would take too much work in the Scenario editor.

My favorite Civ is probably Civilization 3; I like the changes in Civ 4 but I'm not a fan of the interface or the graphics...they seem to slow down the gameplay too much. Also, it just takes too long to get your civ up and running...I don't enjoy waiting 20 turns for a market to be produced in my first city. On Civ 3, I always play as either the Germans, British, or Netherlands.
Interestingly enough, the Civs I play in Civilization are also my favorites in Rise of Nations...
Tomzilla
28-05-2006, 18:07
I always play as the Soviets...nothing better than slamming the Germans from the east while the Allies and France hold off on the West. There's nothing better than attacking Kiel in 1943 with 12 bombers, 20 tanks and 33 riflemen...

Not only that, but my engineers laid about 3,000 miles of railroad tracks during the period; the Soviet infrastructure in 1947 was equal to that of the Allies. I wanted to play out the Cold War on that map, but I realized it would take too much work in the Scenario editor.

:P

Second favorite thing was beating the Germans by late 1941 as the Allies, then continuing with a war on the Soviet Union.
Kanabia
28-05-2006, 18:11
Egh....the amount of time I have lost to these games -Call to Power included, I guess- is huge...

I started back with Civ 1 when I was about 7.

Are these games what they are cracked up to be?

I am looking for some new games to try and these pop up once in a while.

Yeah, but start with Civ 2 (provided you don't have 64 bit windows, it doesn't work...mumblegrr...). Civ 1 is a little archaic for most people, and I find that Civ 3 and Civ 4 deviated too much from the formula of the early games to make them as special as no.2 was - I usually like complexity, but a lot of the stuff in Civ 3 and 4 irritates me, because every game becomes a methodical rush to be the most powerful before the AI amasses a 40 unit army and squashes you in three turns. If you don't manage to take the lead or come at least within the top three by the mid-game, you're pretty much a goner.

Not to say that they aren't good games, but after a while playing each of them, I wanted to go back to Civ 2.

If you want a somewhat more modern game that manages to add complexity to Civ 2 but actually pulls off the same level of gameplay fun, get Alpha Centauri.
Vetalia
28-05-2006, 18:15
:P
Second favorite thing was beating the Germans by late 1941 as the Allies, then continuing with a war on the Soviet Union.

The Allies did that to me more than a few times; however, they also allied with the Germans against me in one game.

Two things that I had to fix in the scenario:

1. Cruise missles in 1942...the Germans always researched Rocketry and unloaded dozens of cruise missles at my battleships and cruisers in the Baltic Sea....hell, the V2 was only in testing in 1942, let alone the cruise missle!

2. Allies signing a peace treaty with Germany in 1942...I tended to be totally screwed if they did that. Even worse, they wanted 1,200 gold to declare war again.
Tomzilla
28-05-2006, 18:22
The Allies did that to me more than a few times; however, they also allied with the Germans against me in one game.

Two things that I had to fix in the scenario:

1. Cruise missles in 1942...the Germans always researched Rocketry and unloaded dozens of cruise missles at my battleships and cruisers in the Baltic Sea....hell, the V2 was only in testing in 1942, let alone the cruise missle!

2. Allies signing a peace treaty with Germany in 1942...I tended to be totally screwed if they did that. Even worse, they wanted 1,200 gold to declare war again.

Yeah, whenever I am the Soviets, the damn Allies screw me over by making peace with Germany. Currently, the Germans are barely being held back at Smolensk and Kharkov in my current Soviet WWII campaign.
Hakubi
28-05-2006, 18:43
I've played Civs 1 thru 3. I'm leary of buying 4 because of the interface. I'm not really happy with the cartoonish look of the leader heads. The whole 3D aspect was a waste of programming. They should have concentrated on the AI, diplomacy, etc. Which I'm sure they did, but it seems a waste. Personally I wish they kept the Civ 3 engine and made improvements to diplomacy. I'll probably buy Civ 4 when it comes down in price.

Right now I'm playing as the French. You can't beat industrious & commercial.
Marrakech II
28-05-2006, 18:53
Actually an older guy here that has played all the civ games. I think they are great. Very interesting how they have progressed the civ line to date. Actually met sid himself back when the first one was out. Had a buddy that worked at microsoft in the 90's that took me to a trade show. Had a signed copy of civ 1 and all. Later lost it while moving. Probably could have got a few dollars on ebay for that today. I am currently while I have spare time playing Railroad tycoon 3. Just picked it up on ebay a few months back. I have played all the RRT versions too. Alot of fun. Got a few golds so far.
Kanabia
28-05-2006, 18:57
Actually an older guy here that has played all the civ games. I think they are great. Very interesting how they have progressed the civ line to date. Actually met sid himself back when the first one was out. Had a buddy that worked at microsoft in the 90's that took me to a trade show. Had a signed copy of civ 1 and all. Later lost it while moving. Probably could have got a few dollars on ebay for that today. I am currently while I have spare time playing Railroad tycoon 3. Just picked it up on ebay a few months back. I have played all the RRT versions too. Alot of fun. Got a few golds so far.

I haven't played RRT3, but yeah, the earlier two were great.

Actually, most of Microprose's early games were classics...Pirates, Sword of the Samurai, Silent Service 2, Gunship 2000, Falcon 3.0, F117A Nighthawk...

*feels nostalgic* :p
Naliitr
28-05-2006, 19:06
I haven't experienced Civ II... only Civ III... Can anyone be kind enough to be a file-sharing junkie and send it to zypher_54@yahoo.com ? Civ II, I mean.
AB Again
28-05-2006, 19:09
I haven't experienced Civ II... only Civ III... Can anyone be kind enough to be a file-sharing junkie and send it to zypher_54@yahoo.com ? Civ II, I mean.

No. :mad: Go out and buy it. It is not like it is expensive.
Kanabia
28-05-2006, 19:11
No. :mad: Go out and buy it. It is not like it is expensive.

Well, it is hard to find.
AB Again
28-05-2006, 19:16
Well, it is hard to find.

Not really (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004VXAZ/qid=1148840062/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8__i2_xgl63/102-4837648-2067336?n=229534&s=videogames&v=glance)
Kanabia
28-05-2006, 19:19
Not really (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004VXAZ/qid=1148840062/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8__i2_xgl63/102-4837648-2067336?n=229534&s=videogames&v=glance)

Point retracted, I looked on ebay whilst you were typing that reply as well.
AB Again
28-05-2006, 19:25
Point retracted, I looked on ebay whilst you were typing that reply as well.

Now if it was Civ I he wanted, that would be harder to find (as well as to run without using DosBox or the equivalent.)
Kanabia
28-05-2006, 19:37
Now if it was Civ I he wanted, that would be harder to find (as well as to run without using DosBox or the equivalent.)

It's still out there on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Sid-Meiers-Civilization-A-K-A-Civilization-1-1991_W0QQitemZ8289149833QQcategoryZ62053QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). I actually downloaded it again, even though I still have my old copy somewhere because I couldn't be bothered looking for it :p. It's not that hard to get running either, I got Civ 1 running on 32-bit winXP with little difficulty. Dosbox is always a good option though.
Laerod
28-05-2006, 19:37
Now if it was Civ I he wanted, that would be harder to find (as well as to run without using DosBox or the equivalent.)I see the board game in a lot of game shops over here, actually...
AB Again
28-05-2006, 19:50
It's still out there on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Sid-Meiers-Civilization-A-K-A-Civilization-1-1991_W0QQitemZ8289149833QQcategoryZ62053QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). I actually downloaded it again, even though I still have my old copy somewhere because I couldn't be bothered looking for it :p. It's not that hard to get running either, I got Civ 1 running on 32-bit winXP with little difficulty. Dosbox is always a good option though.

It runs on XP, as slow as hell though and with no sound. (I really must put together a dos machine to play these old games on. Less hassle than having to run them through Dosbox and have my virus checker update in right at the wrong moment.)
Pure Metal
28-05-2006, 19:58
Civ4:

1. set research goal to galley (first naval unit to be able to hold Settler)
2. build a million settlers
3. colonise the entire other continent (assuming playing world/gaia map) before the other bastards do
4. invest in culture
5. even if your homeland is lost (cos you won't have built it up too much probably) you get a whole continent at your disposal, tons of resources, and the ability to both be relatively safe/isolated and also strike any other civ by surprise (sea attack)



i'm a civ noob - only started with 4 :(
Vetalia
28-05-2006, 20:05
i'm a civ noob - only started with 4 :(

Noob lol.

I started with Civ 2 and I have Alpha Centauri...
Kanabia
28-05-2006, 20:15
It runs on XP, as slow as hell though and with no sound. (I really must put together a dos machine to play these old games on. Less hassle than having to run them through Dosbox and have my virus checker update in right at the wrong moment.)

Try picking the adlib sound option on startup, I think that's what I did. Windows should emulate the MIDI, and the game will adjust to the right play speed (it's something with the way the Adlib drivers were designed, I think. It works with most games, IIRC.)

Also, try This. (http://www.loonies.narod.ru/dosshell.htm) It's a frontend for dosbox that lets you build a list of icons and run games that way, rather than having to go to all the trouble of setting it up individually every time.

As for a DOS machine, yeah, that's a good idea. I have an old Celeron machine that i'm thinking of putting to use like that; the problem is that I don't have room for the clunky box on my desk (it's one of those horizontal desktops of old, not a fashionable tower). I actually find that dosbox is less hassle with most games anyway; no memory or CD-ROM issues and the like.
Kanabia
28-05-2006, 20:20
Noob lol.

I started with Civ 2 and I have Alpha Centauri...

I started with Civ 1; I also have the PC version of Avalon Hill's Advanced Civilization, Civ 1, 2, and 3, Alpha Centauri + Alien Crossfire, and both Call-to-power games.

The only thing i'm missing is the original Civ board game.

I win! :D


1. set research goal to galley (first naval unit to be able to hold Settler)
2. build a million settlers
3. colonise the entire other continent (assuming playing world/gaia map) before the other bastards do
4. invest in culture
5. even if your homeland is lost (cos you won't have built it up too much probably) you get a whole continent at your disposal, tons of resources, and the ability to both be relatively safe/isolated and also strike any other civ by surprise (sea attack)

That's usually a winning tactic in the other Civ games, at least on lower difficulty levels...but in Civ 4, the maintenance stifles your research too much. They'll get to Alpha Centauri before you do, even assuming they don't begin an industrial-age conquest of you while you're stuck with knights.
AB Again
28-05-2006, 20:24
Try picking the adlib sound option on startup, I think that's what I did. Windows should emulate the MIDI, and the game will adjust to the right play speed (it's something with the way the Adlib drivers were designed, I think. It works with most games, IIRC.)

Also, try This. (http://www.loonies.narod.ru/dosshell.htm) It's a frontend for dosbox that lets you build a list of icons and run games that way, rather than having to go to all the trouble of setting it up individually every time.

As for a DOS machine, yeah, that's a good idea. I have an old Celeron machine that i'm thinking of putting to use like that; the problem is that I don't have room for the clunky box on my desk (it's one of those horizontal desktops of old, not a fashionable tower). I actually find that dosbox is less hassle with most games anyway; no memory or CD-ROM issues and the like.

I have Dosbox set up the way I like it now (with a good old fashioned dos batch file menu system on start up) so a graphical front end is of little interest. (It is just that any scheduled windoze event can mess things up a little regardless.) The thing that is holding me up from setting up the dos games machine is that I don't have a spare monitor at the moment. I actually have an old 486 machine that is in working condition which would be ideal as a dos gaming machine.

Anyone got an old monitor that they don't mind shipping to Brazil? :(

Anyway, back to Civ. I have not yet even seen Civ IV in action, but as I much preferred II to III, I am not too bothered. If what they have done is prettied up the graphics again and not done anything much to improve the diplomacy side of things, then it will be difficult to justify spending money on it for me.
Rhaomi
28-05-2006, 20:29
CivII rocks. The same four advisors, the quaint music, the Throne Room... Best. Strategy game. Evar.
New Lofeta
28-05-2006, 20:35
Right now I'm playing as the French. You can't beat industrious & commercial.
Germany did.
SORRY! IRRESTIBLE!
Xandabia
29-05-2006, 01:18
Sid rules
The Taker
29-05-2006, 01:48
Egh....the amount of time I have lost to these games -Call to Power included, I guess- is huge...

I started back with Civ 1 when I was about 7.



Yeah, but start with Civ 2 (provided you don't have 64 bit windows, it doesn't work...mumblegrr...). Civ 1 is a little archaic for most people, and I find that Civ 3 and Civ 4 deviated too much from the formula of the early games to make them as special as no.2 was - I usually like complexity, but a lot of the stuff in Civ 3 and 4 irritates me, because every game becomes a methodical rush to be the most powerful before the AI amasses a 40 unit army and squashes you in three turns. If you don't manage to take the lead or come at least within the top three by the mid-game, you're pretty much a goner.

Not to say that they aren't good games, but after a while playing each of them, I wanted to go back to Civ 2.

If you want a somewhat more modern game that manages to add complexity to Civ 2 but actually pulls off the same level of gameplay fun, get Alpha Centauri.

Thanks...I will check them out.
Moorington
29-05-2006, 02:29
I think anyone who has left since Civ3 should try Civ4, it is a great game interworking national borders (Like RoN, another great game), intelligent AI (sometimes to much), superb scenerios, interesting and easy to use scenerio builder, good looking graphics, nice internet connectivity, tons of uploadable nations and scenerios from many of the numerous fansites (check out civ4.com for hyperlink to all of them) and anyrhing else a Turn-based Strategy Game needs.
N Y C
29-05-2006, 02:46
I LOOOVE Civilization! I'm pretty addicted to 4.
Maineiacs
29-05-2006, 03:01
Obsessed with Civ 4, just like I was with 2 & 3. I like playing as one of the "spiritual" nations, a) because I can get on a war footing at the drop of a hat, and b) I can usually manage to found at least 6 religions, if not all 7, and it helps me keep on eye on the AI nations. I generally play isolationist, trade with 1 or 2 nations, and heavily garrison my cities for the inevitable reaction to telling a warmonger to go f**k himself. Getting the tech edge so you get ICBMs first is also useful.
Klitvilia
29-05-2006, 03:11
For those of you who have heard of the game, spore,http://pc.ign.com/objects/735/735340.html how do you think it would stand up, civ building-wise (you can make your own, completely origional species, architecture, everything, from scratch) to Civilization 4. Only, I am considering whether to wait for Spore to come out, or just go and buy a Civ. game as my introduction to the society/empire building genre, because I loved games like the Total war series, and that is kind of a hybrid between Society builders and RTS's (with the world view metagame)
Anti-Social Darwinism
29-05-2006, 03:38
I'm playing Civ III, Play the World. A very strange thing happened at one point. I was playing China. I had physical domination over 2/3 of the land mass, had just obliterated Rome and was simultaneously (and successfully)moving on Korea and France when I got "you have just suffered a humiliating domination defeat". Explain that.
Wallonochia
29-05-2006, 04:10
I started on Civ 1 when it came out, so I was probably 9 or 10. That game was so horribly addictive. I loved Civ 2, but I didn't care so much for Civ 3. However, I did pick up Civ 4, and it's everything I hoped for and more. I'll second the call that if you dropped Civ after 3, you should give it another chance.
Naliitr
29-05-2006, 05:04
No. :mad: Go out and buy it. It is not like it is expensive.
But I'm lazy and my parents won't spend any amount of money on me until september when school starts again!
N Y C
29-05-2006, 05:09
-snip-
Although of a different focus in some ways, Spores sounds like it will be the end-all and be-all of games when it comes out. I definitely want to but a copy.
Findecano Calaelen
29-05-2006, 07:39
Sid rules
fuckin ay
Damor
29-05-2006, 08:31
I played civ IV with a friend at his house... After my first tank was destroyed by a spearman, I swore I would never buy it. Sure, I had killed loads of 'em, but it just aint right!I once had an enemy spearman bring down an airplane..
The Alma Mater
29-05-2006, 08:41
Can this topic also be used to discuss Sid Meiers Alpha Centauri ?
Dzanissimo
29-05-2006, 10:05
A thread to discuss tactics, experiences, and to rant about the Civilization games.

My experience: Don't cha love the times when you are on an archipeligo map and you have ocean surrounding you on all sides, and you don't feel like sailing out to find new worlds, and you're the only person on the island? One time, I had gotten to the modern age. Someone on the main island had just discovered navigation at the time I firstly had gotten ICBMs. They came to my island, while still in the middle ages. I asked for world maps in exchange for all my nifty technology. I know see the entirety of the world. The Romans didn't like me very much. They threatend war on me if I didn't give them technology to get into the industrial age. I said "Fuck you Rome". They declared war on me. I launched one of my ICBMs towards their capital. They immediatly surrendered. Now then, apparently no one liked my use of nukes, said it was bad, and all other 13 AI declared war on me. I couldn't understand why they didn't like my use of nukes. So I set up a little demonstration for them. At each of their capitals. Just a common ol' ICBM blast in each capital. They then saw the light and realized that nukes are such a great thing.

I partly see your point :)

In Archipelago maps, I love reaching Naval superiority and building a lot of ships. Then I colonize free islands and harrass AI. I do not care too much that they all have war with me, if every their ship is sunk.
Anarchic Conceptions
29-05-2006, 10:36
I'm playing Civ III, Play the World. A very strange thing happened at one point. I was playing China. I had physical domination over 2/3 of the land mass, had just obliterated Rome and was simultaneously (and successfully)moving on Korea and France when I got "you have just suffered a humiliating domination defeat". Explain that.

You're not very forthcoming with details. But either you ran out of time, or someone else was voted Secretary General of the UN or someone else built a Space Ship.

Or you accidently pressed CTRL+Q (?).
Moorington
29-05-2006, 21:28
Probably one of the many unrealistic concepts that they applied to Civ3, which is a reason they really had to step back from that and sadly a lot of other players did to. So any new players or people wanting to get back in -join now-! It is one of the best Turn Based Stategy game out there!
Vetalia
29-05-2006, 21:35
Can this topic also be used to discuss Sid Meiers Alpha Centauri ?

Sure...I have it, but I don't know who else does besides you and Kanabia. Perhaps another thread is in order.
The Atlantian islands
29-05-2006, 21:52
Have any of you fools played the Europa Europa EE3 mod map/scenario for Civ IV? Its just about the best damn thing I can think of. Its more fun than the standard game, as there is nothing better than building a Scandanavian Empire, ruling Europe as the Church through Catholicism, or building a Prussian Reich.

If you have downloaded it, let me know what you think and let others know!

If you havnt, get on it, fool!
Moorington
29-05-2006, 21:57
No I havn't, could you set up a download link for me?
The Atlantian islands
29-05-2006, 22:00
No I havn't, could you set up a download link for me?

Here (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=144971)

I suggest you read the OP on that site to find out what its all about...and also, make sure you are downloading the most recent one...and finally, make sure you are downloading the one you want as there are different scenarios.